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Georgia Tech defense sets the tone

Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp (3) is tackled by Georgia Tech defensive back and Jacksonville resident Step Durham (8) during the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl on Saturday. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

The Georgia Tech defense allowed an 18-yard pass completion from Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson to Dorian Baker on the first play of the TaxSlayer Bowl on Saturday.

It took the unit three plays to more than make up for it.

A sack, fumble, scoop and score put the first points of the game on the board for the Yellow Jackets and set the tone for the rest of the game in their 33-18 victory over the Wildcats at EverBank Field.

A pair of seniors figured prominently in the play, as tackle Patrick Gamble jarred the ball lose from Johnson for a 10-yard loss, with linebacker P.J. Davis picking up the ball and running 38 yards for the touchdown.

It was the first defensive score in a bowl game for Georgia Tech since the 2011 Sun Bowl.

“When you get a defensive touchdown, when we can score first and the offense hasn’t touched the field, that’s always a plus,” said Gamble, who had seven tackles and two sacks.

Tech held the Wildcats to 149 yards rushing, almost 100 yards below their season average that ranked 16th in the nation and third in the SEC, and allowed Johnson to throw for only 175 yards — an average of 5.1 yards per attempt.

Cornerback Step Durham of Jacksonville had six solo tackles and broke up a pass.

Family tradition

A family’s participation in the TaxSlayer Bowl reached a third generation Saturday when Georgia Tech wide receiver Brad Stewart played in the game.

Stewart’s grandfather, Jim Walsh, Sr. played at Auburn 1954-56, and his uncle, Jim Walsh, Jr., played at South Carolina 1980-84. Walsh Sr. played three seasons for Auburn with the Tigers playing in the Gator Bowl following the 1954 and ’55 seasons. The Tigers beat Baylor 33-13 in ’54 but dropped a 25-13 contest to Vanderbilt the following year.

Jim Walsh, Jr. played on the Gamecocks 1980 team that lost to Pittsburgh 37-9 and on the 1984 team that lost to Oklahoma State 21-14 in the Gator Bowl.

There is some confusion with regards to how successful the Walsh’s were. Even though records show they were a combined 1-3 in Gator Bowls, Stewart says he was told they were winless in three trips to the Gator Bowl.

“[Whatever the record] it’s unique because you don’t hear that much of three generations playing in the same bowl game like that,” Stewart said

The family ties to the Jacksonville bowl game could go beyond this year. Stewart’s younger brother, Gavin, plays football at the same school as his brother, Benedictine Military School (Savannah), and could play at the collegiate level.

“You never know, it could be extended beyond me,” Stewart said.

No Junior this year

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been involved in the pregame coin flip for the three previous TaxSlayer Bowl games, but he was a no-show on Saturday.

He had a good reason: Earnhardt was married Saturday night to longtime girlfriend — and former Kentucky cheerleader - Amy Reimann.

TaxSlayer.com has sponsored one of Earnhardt’s cars in the Xfinity Series since 2010, so he’s been at the game to drive his stock car to mid-field to flip the coin.

Tech in new threads

While the components of Georgia Tech’s uniform weren’t new, the combination of a “honeycomb” helmet, white pants and gold jerseys were a first for the Yellow Jackets.

The alternate helmet was first used in 2012, and the gold jerseys were a first since the 2012 season. Tech also wore gold jerseys om 2007 in a 38-35 loss to West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.

Team captains voted for the change.

Attendance lowest in 58 years

Kentucky’s fans did their part, more than selling their allotment of 8,000 tickets and creating a sea of blue on one side of the stadium. Georgia Tech and local fans … not so much.

The TaxSlayer Bowl attendance of 43,102 was the lowest since 41,312 watched Ole Miss beat Florida 7-3 in 1958. Georgia Tech also was involved in another sparsely-attended game, with 43,461 watching the Jackets’ 28-13 loss to Miami in 2000.